Santiago sisters tow NU to win over Arellano

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion National U drew firepower from its sister pair of Dindin and Alyssa Santiago as it downed Arellano U, 25-9, 25-14, 25-18, to move a step closer to the semifinals of the Shakey's V-League Season 11-First Conference at The Arena in San Juan City Thursday.

Dindin Santiago fired 12 hits, nine coming off kills while the other three from service winners, while her younger sister, Jaja, back after missing some games after suiting up for the PLDT Home TVolution Phl team in the Asian Club Championship in Thailand two weeks ago, scattered 12 hits to lead the way.

Carmina Aganon chipped in 10 while Aiko Urdas and Myla Pablo added nine apiece to send the Lady Bulldogs to their second straight win counting its elimination round victory over fellow Group II team Far Eastern U.

Since NU was grouped with FEU before, its result in the prelims will count while it has to play the other two teams it hasn't faced, which in this case are Arellano and St. Benilde.

Group I is composed of reigning UAAP titlist Ateneo, Santo Tomas, Adamson and Davao Lady Agilas.

If NU beats St. Benilde next week, it will clinch one of the two slots staked in their group in the best-of-three semis.

For the Lady Chiefs, who finished in a three-way logjam on top with the Lady Eagles and Adamson Lady Falcons on 4-1 (win-loss) slates, they fell to 1-1 since they already have an automatic win over the Lady Blazers.

"It's an important victory for us because it put us closer to the semis," said NU coach Ariel dela Cruz in Filipino.